Specialised Kindy Dance Program Hornsby & Wahroonga
Have you heard the exciting news?! In 2020, we are thrilled to announce we are launching a brand new kindy dance program, designed to nourish their creative and social needs, without compromising their energy levels. As we know, starting big school can be a huge and often tiring step for children and in many cases parents are advised to cease all after school activities for their first year of kindergarten as they will be ‘just too tired.’
Now this is often true for many kids as they adjust to the demands of waking up earlier to get to school, using their minds in new and exciting ways and learning a whole range of material over the first year. Of course they are going to feel a little bit more tired than normal.
But when there are sooo many changes happening in a child’s life that may be overwhelming and sometimes scary; it is important to have some familiarity and continuity with activities that that they know and love. Activities that they get excited about, that they feel calm and happy doing and activities that continue their social experiences. Big school can sometimes be an anxiety provoking topic for young kids and so by having a creative tool that they can come back to and use to express emotions and also calm them down from stress; is essential. Now, I know you’re probably thinking “but dance is so physical, how are they going to have the energy to come to class?” Which is where our NEW Topaz Stepping Stone combo comes in.
I have specially devised this program, so that it is run in a calm and relaxed way that is nurturing of the demands of school and mindful of their energy levels. Though they are completing a dance class, the structure is run differently so as to not tire the kids out too much, but rather focuses on the imaginative and creative aspects of dance. This 40 minute combo, run earlier in the week and at earlier time slots, is the perfect balance between exercise, foundational dance steps, creative stimulation and relaxation techniques to equip them with the tools needed to lower anxiety and stress levels.
Predominately focusing on Ballet for the first section of the lesson, we utilise their favourite props from the Mini Gems program, to aid their learning and understanding of new steps. Through the use of wands, tiaras, flowers and gems, we paint the picture of the themed adventures, to keep it fun and exciting as well as keep with imagery they already know from their years in the preschool program. We then move on to Jazz & Hip Hop based movement, to develop the essential gross motor skills of jumping, skipping, galloping and marching. Again, we utilise props such as hula hoops, agility ladders and the parachute to engage their minds, but to also aid with their understanding of movement and the development of team work and social skills. To conclude the lesson, we finish off with a Mini Yoga meditation practice, to help the dancers calm their minds and relax for home time. Mindfulness and learning correct breathing techniques, is one of the simplest ways to reduce stress and anxiety and bring their mind back to the present. This is a simple tool that the dancers can use when they are feeling worried, angry, stressed or upset so we are thrilled to be teaching it in our classes.
It is important to us, also, that we regularly communicate with families to let them know how their child is progressing and what skills the kids have been learning week to week. This is why we have a 5 minute feedback time after the class to discuss such topics.
We would love to welcome you into this class for 2020, so feel free to get in touch if this sounds like something your child would be interested in.
